Easy Gnome Pattern: Perfect for the Holidays!

Let’s sew another gnome! The internet has learned that this is the place to come for free gnome patterns, so how about another one? This new gnome pattern is super easy to make because unlike my previous one, he doesn’t have arms or legs. That’s ok. This adorable guy has the cutest hat ever that will make you want one too!

This blog post has been converted to an optional PDF that’s optimized for printing. Find it here. The blog post below is totally free to read, print, and sew! Just hit CTRL +P on your computer to print. The PDF download is inexpensive and optional.

Finished size: approximately 10’’ tall, not including the hat, which is 32” long!

Make sure you have some long fluffy beard material like the faux Gorilla fur that I used because everyone loves a long fluffy gnome beard.

I specifically designed this easy gnome pattern for use with fleece fabric. The body of my gnomes is made out of regular fleece.

The long and slouchy hats are made with the ‘sherpa’ kind of fleece, but any fleece or minky fabric will work great. The pattern pieces are slightly different from my other gnome patterns to account for the way that fleece stretches.

This free pattern is in my collection of 10 Free Gnome Sewing Patterns. Be sure to check them out, a handmade gnome makes the perfect gift for anyone on your list!

I sewed a fluffy yarn pom-pom to the ends of my gnomes’ hats. This step is optional, but they are adorable so I hope you buy or make the pom-poms. I used the Clover Pom-Pom Maker to make 2 1/2” pom poms.

Don’t save this gnome pattern just for Christmas! I used it to make a Halloween gnome too. Doesn’t he look like a little wizard?

You will need:

• less than 1/4 yard of faux fur for the beard
• 1 yard of sherpa fleece for the hat
• 1/4 yard of fleece fabric for the body
• a scrap of fleece for the nose
• polyester fiberfill for stuffing (I like the silky kind best)
• hot glue gun and glue sticks (or you can hand sew the pieces together at the end)
• a pom pom for the end of the hat (mine are 2 1/2”). If you do not wish to make your own, store bought pom poms are also available.
• optional – doll making pellets, fish tank gravel, or rice to add some weight to the bottom of the gnome body.
• a chopstick or point turner
• a needle and thread for hand sewing
• pins and/or Wonderclips

Easy Gnome Sewing Pattern – Step by Step Tutorial

Cutting:

Print the pattern templates at 100% – do not enlarge or reduce the size.

Cut fabric pieces from all of the pattern templates, as instructed on the templates:

From the sherpa fleece, cut:

• 1 on the fold of fabric using the hat template

From the regular fleece, cut:

• 2 on the fold of fabric using the body template
• 1 using the nose template

From the faux fur, cut

• 1 using the beard template*

* Read the special instructions below for cutting faux fur.

When cutting the fur, first take note of the direction of nap (the way the fur lays).

Trace the pattern on the back of the faux fur fabric first.

Then cut from the back, trying to only cut the fabric backing, leaving the long strands of fur.

Perfect!

Make the Hat

1. Fold the hat piece in half and pin the straight edges together.

3. Sew with a 1/4” – 1/2” seam allowance, starting at the large end.

4. When you reach the tip, stop sewing and backstitch when your line of stitching gradually reaches the fold. Trim away the extra fabric at the tip, being careful not to cut the stitches.

5. Turn the hat right side out. Gently push out the point using a chopstick or point turner.

6. Fold the raw edge of the hat to the inside by about 1”. Using a hand sewing needle and thread, tack the raw edge to the seam using a few stitches.

Note: I do not hem my hats. The raw edge will stay turned under when put on the gnome.

Before cutting your tacking thread, sew large (1/2”) gathering stitches right next to the seam for about 3”, going up toward the tip of the hat.

Pull the thread tight, making a small gather in the back of the hat. Secure your stitches and cut your hand sewing thread.

Gathering the back of the hat is optional, but I found that it helps create the ‘slouchy’ look in the front.

Sew the Gnome Body

1. Pin the 2 body pieces right sides together.

2. Sew both curved side edges with a 1/4” seam allowance.

3. The bottom piece is a slight oval. Mark the side ‘ends’ of the oval shape. Use pins or wonderclips to attach the bottom piece to the circular bottom edge of the gnome body. The ‘ends’ of the oval should be placed at the side seams of the gnome body.

4. Sew the bottom piece to the gnome body with a 1/4” seam allowance.

Turn the body right side out.

5. If you are using poly-pellets or something similar to add weight to the bottom of the gnome, but the substance in a closable plastic bag. Place the bag in the bottom of the gnome body.

6. Stuff the body with polyester fiberfill. It needs to be stuffed fairly firmly.

Use a needle with strong thread to sew 1/4” long stitches all the way around the top of the body.

7. Pull the thread tight, closing the opening. Secure the opening closed with a few stitches and then cut the thread.

Make and Attach the Nose

1. Hand or machine sew long gathering stitches around the oval of fabric cut for the nose!

Gently pull the stitches until an oval shaped ball is formed.

2. Place a small amount of fiberfill in the center. Pull the threads tight to gather the back of the nose. Take a few stitches and tie a knot to secure the thread.

3. Before cutting your thread, move some fur out of the way and sew the nose to the beard, about 1 1/2” below the top edge.

Make sure the nose is sewn to the back of the beard, not just the fur. Tie a not and cut the thread.

Tip: You could use hot glue to attach the nose to the beard instead if you prefer.

Hot Glue the Gnome Body and Beard

1. Place the beard on the center front of the gnome body about 3 1/2” below the top opening.

2. Apply a few dots of hot glue to attach the top edge of the beard to the body.

Attach the Gnome’s Hat and Pom Pom

1. Put the hat on the gnome with the seam of the hat in the back. Fold the raw edge under by about 1”. Adjust the hat to give it a slouchy look and make sure it touches the nose.

2. Attach the hat to the gnome using a few dots of hot glue or hand sewing in a few spots.

Tip: I think it looks cute for the hat to cover part of the nose, but it can cover more of the nose or none at all!

3. Sew or hot-glue the pom-pom to the tip of the hat.

Enjoy your handmade holiday gnome! I hope you have enjoyed my free easy gnome pattern with fleece fabric. Terms for the use of this free pattern are found here.

If you make one or lots of your Christmas gifts using my free sewing patterns I would love to see! Post a photo to Instagram and tag me @sewcanshe so I can take a look.

Happy Sewing!

xoxo,

Caroline

In a hurry? Here are 10 Last Minute Christmas Gifts to Sew from free sewing patterns!

Merry Christmas!